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Refashioning Belk’s Theory of Digital Extended Self for a Datafied Society: A Review and Research Agenda

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  • Roohollah Honarvar
  • Mahya Sepehrinia

Abstract

Belk’s theory of digital extended self has been highly influential in the studies of online behavior and its relationship to sense of self and identity. This study systematically reviews the papers (indexed by Web of Science and Scopus) that cited Belk’s seminal paper between 2013 and 2023. Focusing on studies that used Belk as part of their theoretical framework ( N  = 25), we classify the substrative contributions of this literature across disciplines into four categories: motivations, personal effects, consumption consequences and relationships with digital apps. Based on a critical examination of this literature, we suggest datafication as an additional dimension to Belk’s five dimensions of digital extended self phenomenon (sharing, dematerialization, re-embodiment, co-construction and distributed memory) and argue that this expanded and restructured model can be fruitful for studying individuals’ and groups’ online behavior in an increasingly datafied society. An agenda for research based on current trends is suggested to demonstrate the potential of the theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Roohollah Honarvar & Mahya Sepehrinia, 2025. "Refashioning Belk’s Theory of Digital Extended Self for a Datafied Society: A Review and Research Agenda," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:21582440251357241
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440251357241
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